The aim of this module is to develop awareness of the distinctive nature of the business environment within the European Union (EU). In the first semester, students will be introduced to the overall vision and ultimate objectives of the EU. The key political and legal institutions and actors responsible for the formulation of policies that influence business practice in Europe will be examined and core academic debates about the form and function of the EU will be reviewed.  The students will also be introduced to economic integration and the operation of the EU single market.  In the second semester, we will explore EU policies, business and society in more depth, with a particular emphasis on employment relations, corporate social responsibility and sustainable innovation.

Knowledge and Understanding of:

• The economic, political and social evolution of the EU;
• The central contemporary issues facing the EU;
• The policy and law-making processes in operation in the EU;
• How key actors shape EU policy;
• The impact of key policies on business organizations and the consumers and citizens of Europe.

Intellectual Skills:

Ability to:

• Apply social, economic, political and organization theories to the EU and its relationship with business
• Critically evaluate the effectiveness of major EU policies and initiatives, such as competition policy and environmental regulation
• To identify the distinctive implications the EU has for business organizations and management practices

Discipline specific skills:

• Analytical (analysing literature, EU developments and constructing an argument)
• Communication (presenting information effectively through written and verbal forms)
• Learning (reflecting on personal and group perspectives on the EU)

Transferable skills:

• Formulate and apply a range of academic skills including: the evaluation of theoretical models, the operationalisation of concepts, and the interpretation of empirical evidence
• Develop analytical, communication, presentation, application, team-working and learning skills through seminar activity and assessments

The module provides some 34 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes/seminars spread across the two semesters.  The programme covers all the main areas identified in the syllabus and, in addition, a variety of expert visiting or guest lecturers are invited to contribute to the programme.

Indicative study hours:   200

The written assessment will enable students to undertake research into a topic from either the first or second semester and the examination will test student knowledge of subjects taught in both the first and the second semesters.

Overall, the module will cover the PESTLE factors associated with analyses of the business environment.

Semester one will cover the Political and Legal aspects of the environment and aspects of the Economic environment. Students will cover different ‘visions’ of the EU; the functions of the EU; primary EU institutions; the nature of EU policy making, which will include examining the role of business interest groups and case studies of the implementation of EU law.  The students will also be introduced to economic integration and the euro.

Semester two will cover the Social/sociological, Ethical/environmental and Technical aspects of the business environment. Students will cover: the EU within a wider context of globalisation; the social and technical impact of EU policies (e.g. transport); EU policies related to HRM; sustainable innovation and growth; regulation and corporate social responsibility.

Gold, M. 2009. Employment policy in the European Union: origins, themes and prospects. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at Aberconway library.

Scholz, C. and Bohm, H. 2008. Human resource management in Europe: comparative analysis and contextual understanding. London: Routledge. Available at: http://bit.ly/2a5OXB4

Nugent, N. 2010. The government and politics of the European Union. 7^th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at Aberconway library.

Nicoll, W. & Salmon, T.C. 2001. Understanding the European Union. Harlow: Longman. Available at Aberconway library.

Hantrais, L. 2007. Social policy in the European Union. 3^rd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at Aberconway library.

Foster, D. and Scott, P. 2003. Trade unions in Europe: meeting the Challenge. Brussels: Peter Lang. Available at Aberconway library.

Adnett, N. and Hardy, S. 2005. The European social model. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. Available at Aberconway library.